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"''Installing Linux software <u>used</u> to be a pain... now with repositories, it is easier than Windows... and free...''" 

The '''Synaptic Package Manager''' is a graphic tool to allow the user to search for, select, then automatically download and install applications in ''Ubuntu'' Linux. Basically, most current Linux distributions have a graphical software installation tool. For example, '''Yast''' (which stands for "''Yet Another Setup Tool''") contains a section to install software from repositories in ''SuSE Linux'' - . '''Yum''' or '''Pirutapt-get''' is the software installation tool for ''Fedora'' Linux...

:# Click '''SYSTEM -> ADMINISTRATION -> Synaptic Package Manager'''.:# Enter your user password to confirm you are the administrator.:# Click on the '''Settings''' menu, and select "'''Repositories'''. This will display a dialog box to allow you to select various software repositories. Some repositories only contain open-source software, while other repositories may contain proprietary software (for example, for hardware drivers). If in doubt, just keep the default selections... When you have made your repository selections, then click '''close'''.:# In the ''Synaptic Package Manager'' dialog box, click on the '''Search''' button.:# Type in the text: '''Planet Penguin Racer''' - the package should appear in the application window.:# Click on the '''check box''' that appears to the left of that application to select that application for download and install. A content menu will appear.:# Select the menu item called "'''Mark for Installation'''". There may be an additional window indicating other software applications that need to be installed as well - just click on the "'''Mark'''" button.:# Click on the "'''Apply'''" button. In a few moments, that application will automatically be downloaded and installed on your system.:# Repeat steps '''4 to 7''' each time for the <u>two other games</u> called "'''Frozen Bubble'''" and "'''Open Arena'''".:# When completed, close the Synaptic Package Manager application window.:# Test out to see the installed application by clicking '''APPLICATIONS -> GAMES -> Game Name'''

Since these applications (in this example, games) are "open source" programs, they may also be available for the Windows or Mac operating systems (like '''Extreme Tux Racer''', or '''Planet Penguin Racer'''). Just as an interesting fact, Planet Penguin Extreme Tux Racer was first developped developed for Linux (the original game name was "Tux Racer"). The name Tux refers to the official mascot of the Linux operating system which is a Penguin.

:# filename.'''rpm''' (RPM Package Mananger):# filename.'''deb''' (Debian Install Manager):# filename.'''tar.gz''' , filename.'''tgz''' (referred as a "zipped tarball")  I am not going to go into <u>painful</u> detail how to install these types of files (I "shudder" just anticipating It would be difficult for me to try to explain or anticipate all the problems that you may encounterinstalling using these manual methods). Mainly the problems  Problems associated to installing using these manual methods will relate to two types of problems: :* the wrong rpm or deb file for your version of Linux, or :* a dependency problem. A dependency problem means that the application that you are installing relies on some other software (or updated software version) that isn't currently installed on your system. 

I would recommend keeping with the ''Synaptic Package Manager'' to install software, but if you are determined to install software the manual way, here is a link to a resource that may provide help:[http://linuxondesktop.blogspot.com/2006/08/installing-applications-under-linux.html Other Software Install Methods in Linux]